Tuesday, November 18, 2008

UT-Kentucky Kickoff Set For Evening Kickoff On ESPN2


The Southeastern Conference announced Monday that Tennessee's Nov. 29 season finale against Kentucky is being televised by ESPN2 and kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. UT has made two previous appearances this year on ESPN and one on ESPN2.

The Vols lead the series against the Wildcats 71-23-9, having won the last 23 consecutive games against their northern neighbor for the nation's longest active streak against the same opponent. Kentucky's last triumph in the series was by a 17-12 margin in Knoxville back in 1984. Three of the last four games in the series have been decided by six points or less, with UT winning 37-31 in 2004, 17-12 in 2006 and a 52-50 thriller in four overtimes last season in Lexington.

Other game being televised over the Thanksgiving weekend involving SEC teams include a pair of Friday games and five additional Saturday contests. Friday's twin bill features Mississippi State at Mississippi in the Egg Bowl on Raycom Sports (12:30 a.m. Eastern) and LSU at Arkansas on CBS (2:30 p.m. Eastern). Saturday's scheduled games are Georgia Tech at Georgia on CBS (noon Eastern), Auburn at Alabama on CBS (3:30 p.m. Eastern), and Vanderbilt at Wake Forest on ESPNU (7 p.m. Eastern).

Two additional Saturday games, Florida at Florida State and South?Carolina at Clemson, are part of the ACC television package and will be picked on a six-day selection. The Florida game will be televised at either 3:30 p.m. Eastern or in prime time (7:45 or 8) on ABC or ESPN, and the South Carolina game will be televised either at noon or 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU or Raycom.

SLADE FINALIST FOR NATIONAL SECONDARY COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

Tennessee veteran assistant coach Larry Slade is one of three finalists for the FootballScoop Defensive Back Coach of the Year Award presented by Muscle Milk, it was announced Monday.

Slade is in his 10th season with the Vols and this year's unit might be his best ever. Tennessee has been among the nation's leaders all season in interceptions, currently standing 11th nationally with 15 interceptions.

Slade teaches man-to-man technique as well as anyone in the business. Over his career, he has coached a number of players who have gone on to become excellent NFL defensive backs. One of his current Vols, Eric Berry, might be the next to make it big on Sundays. Berry currently is tied for the national lead with six interceptions and leads the country with 220 interception return yards.
Key Tennessee Secondary Stats:

7th nationally -- Total defense (275.6 yards per game)

15th nationally -- Scoring defense (18.1 points per game)

7th nationally -- Passing defense (164.0 yards per game)

11th nationally -- Interceptions (15)

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